Next Wave Up and Coming Swimmers Series

We are proud to spotlight a group of up and coming para swimmers and 14 & Under swimmers who are making their mark within the TAG (Top Age Group) Rankings across Canada. Recognized through the leadership and support of the Canadian Swim Coaches Association (CSCA), these athletes represent the next wave of Canadian swimming excellence.

As we launch this series, we celebrate the coaches, clubs, and families who support these swimmers — and we look forward to following their journey as they continue to rise within Canada’s performance pathway.

Determined, strong and in pursuit of excellence.

That might very well be the words 16-year-old John Gillis thinks about when he enters the pool at the Toronto Pan Am Sports Centre (TPASC) with other members of the Ontario Swim Academy - a high-performance and specialized training program for identified able-bodied and para-swimmers.

Their goal - aiming for international, Olympic, and Paralympic success.

People always have things to say, be they spectators, officials, coaches or even athletes. It could be good things or even challenging comments. One thing is certain for Gillis. His life is far too busy to worry about what goes on in the mind of others.

Gillis is focussed on taking the plunge to greatness and a quick glance at his past shows achievements, triumphs and thriving for mastery. Talk with him, and he doesn’t dwell on swim awards, records or opponents.

For Gillis, it’s all about advancement and excellence – and that even stretches beyond swim competition.

A two-time academic honours student at St. Mary Catholic Secondary in Pickering, he’s focussed on a career in chemical or engineering studies and already thinking about post-secondary education at the University of Toronto or McGill University.

He’s the kind of guy who is fascinated with telescopes, chemistry, physics and even finds time to play piano and care about others as a lifeguard at TPASC.

Born in Ottawa, Gillis’ initiation to swimming came as a youngster with classes at the Bob MacQuarrie Recreation Complex in Orléans. When the family moved to the Durham Region east of Toronto, Gillis joined the Pickering Swim Club.

For him, competitive swimming started at age 10 - and didn’t take long for the highlights to commence. Even that celebration of his first win in a heat was special.

The freestyle stroke continues to be his specialty event. While preferring long distance swimming, Gillis has focussed on the 400-metres event. He’s made huge progress and currently owns a time of four minutes, 53.63 seconds – set a few weeks ago at a meet in Edmonton.

Attentive and mindful of growth and improvements from his Ontario Swim Academy coach Don Burton, Gillis has immense admiration for all his former coaches and advisors.

Devoting close to 20 hours a week in the pool along with dryland training, also requires a huge commitment and undertaking from his parents (both former athletes) in getting him to and from the pool – and Gillis knows it, too.

“They’ve all been amazing,” praised Gillis. “The motivation they have given me. There’s just no way any of this would be possible without their encouragement and I am so appreciative.”

Gillis was born with cerebral palsy, a series of neurological conditions that affect movement and posture. Initially training with able bodies athletes, and treated like one, at age 13 Gillis started competing in the S9 para-swimming international classification for athletes with physical disabilities like cerebral palsy.

Very determined, emboldened by perseverance and desire, Gillis said he has engaged in doing things in the water that, at one time, the youngster said he didn’t think was possible.

“Working hard leads to success,” said Gillis. “Sometimes the practices make me feel like a bowling ball. Other times, I am flying.”

Last year, Gillis had third place finishes at the Speedo Canadian Open and a fourth at the Bell Swim finals. Upgrades and refinement have improved efficiency and the results show it.

Gillis is the current owner of two S9 provincial records. Both were set a few weeks ago at the 2026 Speedo Canadian Swimming Open held at the Edmonton Kinsmen Sports Centre. The other was set at TPASC. Gillis was clocked in 29.21 for the 50-metres freestyle and 10:18.51 in the 800 metres.

“My goal is to compete at the international level,” said Gillis, who was the recipient of the Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee award in 2022 for a charity walk he did to support nurses during the pandemic. “In five years, I hope to be in the top five or 10 in my para sport class.”

As for other accolades, Gillis was one of the recipients of the 2025 Victor Davis Memorial Award. Many of those become members of Canada’s National swim team and go on to represent Canada at the Olympics, World championships and other international events.

In May, Pickering will honor Gillis with a special municipal award for outstanding achievement that also brought provincial, national or international recognition to the city.

Gillis, who is classified as a Level 3 para swimmer, can compete in national competitions and trials. He is considered to be among the top five in Canada in his classification. Para swimmers are classified based on function rather than just age, which defines their ability to compete in the top categories.

David Grossman is a veteran multi award-winning Journalist and Broadcaster with some of Canada’s major media, including the Toronto Star and SPORTSNET 590 THE FAN, and a Public Relations professional for 50+ years in Canadian sports and Government relations.